John William Bean

John William Bean (1824 – 19 July 1882) was a British criminal and mental patient. He was most known for attempting in 1842 to assassinate Queen Victoria with a gun loaded with paper and tobacco. Born a dwarf with a hunchback, Bean shot at the Queen because he wanted to be transported to a penal colony as he was unhappy with his life in England. Instead he was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for misdemeanour assault. Bean died in 1882 after committing suicide.

Early life Bean was born in Holborn, Middlesex, the son of a jeweller and metalsmith. He was born with a hunchback and dwarfism. He attempted to join working with his father in the forge but was unable to keep up with the physical requirements for the work. He also had failed apprenticeships with a cheesemonger and at Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Immediately, Bean was grabbed by the wrist by Charles Edward Dassett who took him over to two nearby policemen, Constables Hearn and Calxston. Dassett showed them Bean's gun and stated that Bean had just fired it at the Queen. Dassett kept the gun and was arrested in Green Park later in possession of it, but told the police about Bean. Dassett's testimony was supported by witnesses from the scene of the crime. The description given of Bean was that of a hunchback, so the majority of hunchbacks in London ended up getting arrested as a result. Bean was arrested later the same day at his home in Clerkenwell. The two policemen were suspended from duty for not taking Dassett's accusation seriously. Usually for a misdemeanour, Bean would have been given the opportunity for bail, however Bean refused to name anyone who might provide the required surety. Bean did not talk during his father's visits except to send his love to his mother. He also argued that the Queen was not distressed or aware of the attempt so there was no assault. Lord Arbinger responded to these arguments during his summing up citing that a man had previously been indicted for grinning at King George III. The jury did not leave the jury box to deliberate before pronouncing their verdict. A large crowd gathered to observe proceedings. The trial took six hours to complete.

Later life and death When Bean was released, he became a newspaper seller and jeweller. He would get married twice and had a son called Samuel in 1849. In 1877 he was confined to a lunatic asylum. On 19 July 1882, Bean was found dead at his home in Camberwell after consuming a large amount of opium from a bottle labelled "poison". He left a suicide note stating he committed suicide because he felt he "was an incumbrance to his wife". A coroner's inquiry at St Thomas' Hospital found for a verdict of death by suicide caused by temporary insanity.